Teachers Union Slams Ministry Over Published List of Uncollected Cheques

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ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
UNION OF TEACHERS
(Founded 1926)
AN AFFILIATE OF:
The Caribbean Union of Teachers (C.U.T.)
Education International (E.I.)
Fraternal: Canadian Teachers Federation (C.T.F) Nova Scotia Teachers Union (N.S.T.U.)

P.O. Box 853
St. John’s, Antigua, W.I.
Tel: 462-3750
Email: [email protected]

Chief Officers:
President – Casroy Charles
General Secretary – Sharon Kelsick
Treasurer – Denise Gardiner

1st Vice President – Robyn Joseph-Nathaniel
2nd Vice President – Aubreyann Miller-Ralph

To:
A&BUT Membership
Ministry of Education Officials
All Media Houses

From:
Mr. Casroy Charles
President – A&BUT

Mrs. Sharon Kelsick
General Secretary – A&BUT

Date:
May 8, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

The Executive of Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers vehemently condemns the latest tactics of the Ministry of Education and the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda as it relates to casting aspirations† against the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers and or our nation’s teachers.

Be informed, the Ministry and Education action of publishing the names of teachers who are to collect cheques was disingenuous and cowardly.

Further, the aforementioned action only serves to foster combative employment relations amongst the Ministry of Education and the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers. Moreover, said action also compromise previous attempts to foster harmonious employment relations.

The A&BUT has consistently extended grace to the Ministry of Education towards the maintenance of quality industrial relations.

The Executive has maintained open communication with the Permanent Secretary and her team throughout this process to ensure this matter is brought to a close in an effective and efficient manner.

Therefore, the publication of the list of uncollected cheque through the Ministry’s social media platform is not only irresponsible but poses a safety risk to every teacher listed therein.

Consequently, The A&BUT will not sit idly by while its members continue to be vilified by the very people who have consistently proven that they are incapable of adequately addressing the issues and challenges they have created.

The conversations surrounding the payment of these allowances did not begin last month or this year.

Therefore, the executive of A&BUT and its members have been more than reasonable with the time given to rectify these issues.

Moreover, the Minister of Education would have supported the aforementioned assertion in a press statement he made last month.

Further, it has been brought to our attention that there are numerous cheques to be collected that have expired or are about to expire.

Therefore, we strongly condemn the actions of the Ministry of Education and call on all relevant authorities to rectify this issue immediately.

Additionally, we strongly advise that the Ministry of Education desist from making such publications in the future regardless of their intent.

To the Cabinet and Antigua and Barbuda, our educators continue to work assiduously and have been instrumental in nation building. As such, every attempt to pacify this issue of demonizing the nation’s educators will be treated as an insult.

The Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers calls on all educators to maintain their resolve as we seek to bring this matter to a successful end.

We thank you for your continued support. Togetherness for Progress!

Respectfully yours

Casroy Charles
President

Sharon Kelsick
General Secretary

Administrative Secretary – Joan Parker
Headquarters: Teachers Place – Sir Sydney Walling Highway and Teachers’ Lane, Antigua
MOTTO: Togetherness for Progress

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